IMA Research Team Embarks on a Legendary Voyage Aboard RV Falkor (too)
Trinidad and Tobago is about to make history! From June 29 – July 28, 2026, local scientists from SpeSeas, The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine, and the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) will join the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s RV Falkor (too) on a groundbreaking deep-sea expedition.
For the IMA research staff, stepping aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s RV Falkor (too) is like entering a floating university, one that sails directly into the mysteries of the ocean with cutting-edge technologies at their fingertips.
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI)
This vessel isn’t just a ship, it’s a high-tech platform designed to help scientists uncover secrets hidden thousands of meters below the surface. This state-of-the-art research vessel is also equipped with the ROV SuBastian, a robotic explorer that can dive 4,500 meters below the surface to uncover species and habitats never seen before. With this capability, IMA staff can observe deep-sea ecosystems in real time, collect specimens, and capture high-definition footage of habitats never seen before. Additionally, the ship’s sonar and mapping technology allows researchers to chart unexplored areas of Trinidad and Tobago’s waters, contributing to the global effort to map the entire ocean floor.
This deep-sea expedition is closely aligned with the IMA’s Beyond the Blue: Powering the Blue Economy with Smart Technologies Project, recognizing the deep sea as an essential pillar of the blue economy. The ship’s advanced onboard laboratory, together with the cutting-edge ROV SuBastian, exemplifies the smart technologies required to ensure state-of-the-art equipment is deployed in uncovering novel specimens and expanding our scientific understanding of the ocean’s hidden ecosystems.
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI)
Why It Matters
The upcoming expedition offers significant benefits for Trinidad and Tobago. For only the third time in history, our nation’s deep seafloor will be directly observed, with IMA researchers documenting species and habitats unique to our region. The baseline data collected will be invaluable in shaping policies that protect fisheries, biodiversity, and fragile ecosystems, ensuring the sustainable use of our national waters. By working alongside international and local scientists, the IMA strengthens its role in global marine research and conservation, while advancing the goals of the Beyond the Blue Project.
Inspiring Youth
Perhaps the most exciting benefit is the inspiration this expedition brings. Young people can see that ocean exploration is no longer something that happens far away, it is happening right here, led by Trinidad and Tobago’s own scientist, Dr. Diva Amon.
Follow the journey daily on both IMA’s and SpeSeas’ website and social media for videos, images, and discoveries in real time. Let’s celebrate science, innovation, and national pride together as we power the blue economy with smart technologies!